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Russia News


Gunbattle in Beirut amid fears of Syria spillover

2012-05-20T23:23:41Z

In this citizen journalism image provided by Sham News Network SNN, an anti-Syrian regime protester, holds up a Cross and Crescent painted with colors of the Syrian revolution flag during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Assad, at the Damascus suburb of Yabroud, Syria, Friday, May 18, 2012. Syrian security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse thousands rallying Friday in Aleppo in what activists said was the largest protest yet in a city that has largely remained loyal to President Bashar Assad during the country's 15-month uprising. (AP Photo/Sham News Network, SNN)THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTOGunmen fired rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns early Monday in intense street battles in the Lebanese capital, wounding six people as fears mounted that the conflict in neighboring Syria was bleeding across the border.

NATO seeks unity on Afghan war despite French exit plan

2012-05-20T22:54:02Z

Leaders take part in the NATO Summit meeting in ChicagoCHICAGO (Reuters) - NATO leaders charting a path out of Afghanistan sought on Sunday to dispel fears of a rush for the exits in the unpopular war even as France's new president vowed to stick by his pledge to withdraw French troops by year's end. President Barack Obama, who once called the Afghan conflict a "war of necessity" but is now looking for an orderly way out, hosted the NATO summit in his home town, Chicago, a day after major industrialized nations tackled a European debt crisis that threatens the global economy. ...

Nationalist wins Serb presidential runoff

2012-05-20T21:46:25Z

Supporters of Serbian Progressive Party leader Tomislav Nikolic with his pictures celebrate after presidential elections in downtown Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, May 20, 2012. Nationalist Tomislav Nikolic beat pro European Union incumbent Boris Tadic in Serbia's presidential runoff election. (AP Photo)Nationalist candidate Tomislav Nikolic won the Serbian presidency on Sunday, a result that adds to the political turmoil in the Balkan country and could slow down its attempts to join the European Union.

UN. nuclear agency chief heads to Tehran

2012-05-20T21:15:37Z

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Yukiya Amano from Japan speaks to the media before his flight to Iran at the Vienna International Airport, Austria, on Sunday, May 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)The head of the U.N. nuclear agency flew to Tehran on Sunday on a delicate mission that — if successful — could finally lift the veil on whether Iran is seeking atomic arms while strengthening the Islamic Republic's negotiating hand in crucial nuclear talks with six world powers later in the week.

Putin to dominate new Russian government

2012-05-20T20:40:23Z

Russia's President Putin attends the CSTO summit at the Kremlin in MoscowWASHINGTON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will unveil a government dominated by loyalists on Monday, leaving Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev limited scope to pursue his reform agenda and entrenching the Kremlin's grip over the economy's commanding heights. Medvedev, 46, named premier after Putin returned to the Kremlin on May 7, has pledged to launch pro-growth policies and a privatization drive to wean Russia's $1.7 billion economy off its dependence on oil. ...

Blast near UN monitors as Syria deaths mount

2012-05-20T20:20:09Z

UN observers wrtr being led around Douma when the blast happenedA rocket-propelled grenade exploded near a team of UN observers in a Damascus suburb Sunday, the military said, as dozens of people were killed in violence while clashes raged between regime troops and armed rebels.

U.N. nuclear chief hopeful on Iran deal before Baghdad meet

2012-05-20T18:53:07Z

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano speaks during a meeting with Belarussian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov in MinskVIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear supervisor flew to Tehran on Sunday voicing optimism he could reach a deal to investigate suspected atom bomb research - a possible breakthrough that Iran may hope could help ease Western sanctions pressure and deflect threats of war. "I really think this is the right time to reach agreement. Nothing is certain but I stay positive," Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said at Vienna airport, adding "good progress" had already been made. ...

Bomb explodes during UN visit in Syria

2012-05-20T18:36:15Z

In this citizen journalism image provided by Sham News Network SNN, an anti-Syrian regime protester, holds up a Cross and Crescent painted with colors of the Syrian revolution flag during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Assad, at the Damascus suburb of Yabroud, Syria, Friday, May 18, 2012. Syrian security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse thousands rallying Friday in Aleppo in what activists said was the largest protest yet in a city that has largely remained loyal to President Bashar Assad during the country's 15-month uprising. (AP Photo/Sham News Network, SNN)THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTOA roadside bomb exploded in a restive suburb of the Syrian capital as senior U.N. officials toured the area on Sunday, the latest incident in which the unarmed observer mission has nearly been caught up in the country's bloodshed.

Russia says West still considering military action on Iran

2012-05-20T18:24:52Z

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov speaks during a news briefing in the main building of Foreign Ministry in MoscowMOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's deputy foreign minister said on Sunday that military action against Iran over its nuclear program was being considered in some Western countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was speaking to reporters on a plane on his way back from the G8 summit in Camp David, where the G8 leaders signaled their readiness to tap into emergency oil stockpiles quickly this summer if tougher new sanctions on Iran threatened to strain supplies. ...

Russia says West still considering military action on Iran

2012-05-20T18:10:00Z

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's deputy foreign minister said on Sunday that military action against Iran over its nuclear program was being considered in some Western countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was speaking to reporters on a plane on his way back from the G8 summit in Camp David, where the G8 leaders signaled their readiness to tap into emergency oil stockpiles quickly this summer if tougher new sanctions on Iran threatened to strain supplies. ...

Putin foes hold mass walk in his native town

2012-05-20T17:55:51Z

A campaign protesting against Russia's President Vladimir Putin's presidencyThe peculiar silent strolls used by Moscow protesters against Vladimir Putin spread Sunday to his native Saint Petersburg and at least two other cities in a test of the movement's national strength.

Bomb explodes near UN observers' chief in Syria

2012-05-20T13:03:35Z

In this citizen journalism image provided by Sham News Network SNN, an anti-Syrian regime protester, holds up a Cross and Crescent painted with colors of the Syrian revolution flag during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Assad, at the Damascus suburb of Yabroud, Syria, Friday, May 18, 2012. Syrian security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse thousands rallying Friday in Aleppo in what activists said was the largest protest yet in a city that has largely remained loyal to President Bashar Assad during the country's 15-month uprising. (AP Photo/Sham News Network, SNN)THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTOA roadside bomb exploded in a restive suburb of the Syrian capital as senior U.N. officials toured the area on Sunday, blowing off the front of a parked vehicle but causing no casualties.

Opposition groups report clashes in Syrian capital

2012-05-20T11:46:44Z

In this citizen journalism image provided by Sham News Network SNN, an anti-Syrian regime protester, holds up a Cross and Crescent painted with colors of the Syrian revolution flag during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Assad, at the Damascus suburb of Yabroud, Syria, Friday, May 18, 2012. Syrian security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse thousands rallying Friday in Aleppo in what activists said was the largest protest yet in a city that has largely remained loyal to President Bashar Assad during the country's 15-month uprising. (AP Photo/Sham News Network, SNN)THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTOA restive district of the Syrian capital that has been a hotbed of dissent against President Bashar Assad was rocked by fighting overnight between government forces and army defectors, opposition groups said Sunday.

No foreign treatment for Tymoshenko: president

2012-05-20T10:38:14Z

Tymoshenko was jailed for seven years in October on abuse of power chargesUkrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Sunday nixed the idea that jailed and ailing ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko be released for treatment abroad ahead of next month's Euro football tournament.

Opposition groups report clashes in Syrian capital; top officials deny assassination claims

2012-05-20T10:30:13Z

BEIRUT - A restive district of the Syrian capital that has been a hotbed of dissent against President Bashar Assad was rocked by fighting overnight between government forces and army defectors, opposition groups said Sunday.

Russia forces kill two suspected militants in Dagestan raid

2012-05-20T09:35:37Z

MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) - Russian security forces killed two suspected militants in a gunfight at a private house in its restive North Caucasus province of Dagestan, Interfax reported on Sunday, quoting local authorities. Police stormed the house in a village near Khasavyurt, a town about 80 km (50 miles) west of the provincial capital of Makhachkala. Two unidentified gunmen were killed in a shootout with security forces, a local law enforcement official said. "They opened fire in response to calls for surrender," the official was quoted as saying. ...

G-8 warns North Korea about further provocations

2012-05-20T06:47:51Z

From left, French President Francois Hollande, President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel make their way to a photo opportunity at the G-8 Summit Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Camp David, Md. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)The Group of Eight world leaders has warned North Korea that it faces more sanctions if it continues to threaten the stability of the region with provocative acts such as its failed long-range rocket launch in April.

Obama sees 'emerging consensus' on economic fix

2012-05-20T05:29:55Z

President Barack Obama briefs journalists following the G-8 Summit Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Camp David, Md. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)Confronting an economic crisis that threatens them all, President Barack Obama and leaders of other world powers on Saturday declared that their governments must both spark growth and cut the debt that has crippled the European continent and put investors worldwide on edge.

G8, raising pressure on Iran, puts oil stocks on standby

2012-05-19T23:52:52Z

French President Hollande, U.S. President Obama, Britain's Prime Minister Cameron, Russia's Prime Minister Medvedev and Germany's Chancellor Merkel at the start of the first working session of the G8 Summit at Camp DavidCAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) - Leaders of the Group of Eight major economies raised the pressure on Iran on Saturday, signaling their readiness to tap into emergency oil stockpiles quickly this summer if tougher new sanctions on Tehran threaten to strain supplies. "We remain united in our grave concern over Iran's nuclear program," the G8 leaders said in a statement summing up the results of their meeting in Camp David in rural Maryland. ...

Obama warns of euro zone threat, welcomes growth focus

2012-05-19T23:51:33Z

CAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, wrapping up the G8 summit he hosted at Camp David, welcomed Europe's focus on rekindling growth and warned the crisis in the euro zone was dangerous for the world. Obama, whose re-election chances in November depend heavily on the U.S. economy continuing to shake off recession, said there was now "an emerging consensus" that Europe ought to invest in job-creating infrastructure and other programs at the same time as it tackles its deficits and debt. "As all the leaders here today agreed, growth and jobs must be our top priority. ...

U.S. tells G8 Syria's Assad must go, cites Yemen as model

2012-05-19T23:47:01Z

CAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) - President Barack Obama told G8 leaders meeting at Camp David that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must leave power, and pointed to Yemen as a model of how political transition could work there, the White House said on Saturday. The Group of Eight leaders, in a statement summing up their discussions, urged all parties in Syria to adhere to their commitments under a joint U.N.-Arab League peace plan "including immediately ceasing all violence so as to enable a Syrian-led, inclusive political transition leading to a democratic, plural political system. ...

France's Hollande to make Eurobond proposals at EU summit

2012-05-19T23:41:45Z

CAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday he would make proposals for eurobonds at an upcoming European summit as he outlines his ideas to stimulate growth and help ailing economies within the euro zone. "I will outline all growth proposals at this informal meeting on May 23," Hollande told reporters at the end of a G8 leaders meeting in Camp David. "Within this packet of proposals there will be eurobonds and I will not be alone in proposing them. I had confirmation on this at the G8. ...

Suicide blast hits Syria as G8 calls for end to violence

2012-05-19T23:20:56Z

Firefighters dousing a burning truck at the site of a blast in the city of Deir EzzorA suicide bomber detonated a car bomb in eastern Syria on Saturday killing nine people, as G8 leaders called for a "political transition" in Syria and an end to violence that has claimed an estimated 12,000 lives.

Obama opens up Camp David for rustic VIP sleepover

2012-05-19T22:53:47Z

CAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) - Eight of the world's most powerful people spent Friday night in the woods. In a sort of VIP sleepover, G8 leaders bedded down in rustic cabins in rural Maryland, where the U.S. presidential retreat, Camp David, is hosting by far the largest international summit in its 70-year history. President Barack Obama welcomed his peers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and Canada to the verdant compound on Friday evening, describing the weather as "perfect" with clear skies visible through tall oak and poplar trees. ...

G8 vows to supply markets despite Iran oil embargo

2012-05-19T22:25:10Z

US President Barack Obama (C), French President Francois Hollande (L) and British Prime Minister David CameronG8 leaders sent a strong message to Iran Saturday that tough energy sanctions would be firmly applied, vowing to ensure oil markets are well supplied to prevent crude prices soaring.

Obama, G-8: Recovery takes both growth and cutting

2012-05-19T19:56:22Z

World leaders walk to the family photo session at the G-8 Summit at Camp David, Md., Saturday, May 19, 2012. From left are Italian Premier Mario Monti, British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. (AP Photo/Philippe Wojazer, Pool)Confronting an economic crisis that threatens them all, President Barack Obama and leaders of other world powers on Saturday declared that their governments must both spark growth and cut the debt that has crippled the European continent and put investors worldwide on edge.

Car bomb in eastern Syrian city kills 9

2012-05-19T19:14:25Z

In this citizen journalism image provided by Sham News Network SNN, an anti-Syrian regime protester, holds up a Cross and Crescent painted with colors of the Syrian revolution flag during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Assad, at the Damascus suburb of Yabroud, Syria, Friday, May 18, 2012. Syrian security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse thousands rallying Friday in Aleppo in what activists said was the largest protest yet in a city that has largely remained loyal to President Bashar Assad during the country's 15-month uprising. (AP Photo/Sham News Network, SNN)THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTOA car bomb in the parking lot of a Syrian military compound killed at least nine people Saturday, the latest in increasingly frequent bombings in the country's major cities to target the regime's security services.

Artists lead thousands against Putin in Moscow

2012-05-19T18:38:46Z

An artist holds a painting depicting Vladimir Putin during a protest in central MoscowDozens of Russian artists with brooms in hand carted their most expressive works across the boulevards of Moscow on Saturday in a show of exasperation at Vladimir Putin's return to a third Kremlin term.

New era beckons for EBRD bank

2012-05-19T17:54:47Z

Suma Chakrabarti, President-elect of the European Bank for Reconstruction and DevelopmentThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development headed into a new era Saturday after electing its first British president and approving investment for "Arab democracies" at its annual meeting.

Obama: G-8 leaders put focus on eurozone crisis

2012-05-19T15:46:58Z

French President Francois Hollande, left, listens as U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the start of the first working session of the G8 Summit at Camp David, Md., Saturday May 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Philippe Wojazer, Pool)The United States and other members of the Group of Eight industrial nations agree that Europe's financial crisis must be addressed with a mix of growth and austerity measures, President Barack Obama said Saturday as leaders gathered for a shirt-sleeve discussion that also will cover world concerns about ups and downs in oil prices.

G8 leaders to focus on Europe's woes

2012-05-19T09:39:02Z

Obama risked the ire of Merkel who has championed an austerity-first approachLeaders of the world's most powerful nations were to focus their attention on Europe's economic woes on Saturday after President Barack Obama threw his weight behind French calls for more pro-growth policies.

Japan eye women's volleyball Olympic berth

2012-05-19T04:48:06Z

Japan will be seeking their first medal since bagging the bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles GamesHosts Japan are hoping home advantage in the final Olympic women's volleyball qualifying tournament starting Saturday will help them secure a berth at London 2012 as they bid to end a 28-year medal drought.

Iran, Syria among top for G-8 and NATO

2012-05-19T03:46:10Z

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron on arrival for the G8 Summit Friday, May 18, 2012 at Camp David, Md. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)President Barack Obama and leaders of other major industrial powers grappled Friday with options to solidify world resolve against development of an Iranian nuclear bomb and encourage a more forceful response to worsening violence in Syria.

Iran may seek "tactical gain" with U.N. nuclear deal

2012-05-19T03:23:05Z

View of the reactor at the nuclear power plant in BushehrVIENNA (Reuters) - Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog are making headway towards a framework deal on how to tackle concerns about its atomic activity, diplomats say, a potential bargaining chip for Tehran in next week's negotiations with world powers. Iran says such an agreement is needed before it can consider a request by U.N. inspectors to visit the Parchin military site where they believe explosives tests relevant for developing nuclear weapons may have been carried out. ...

Historic Facebook debut falls flat

2012-05-19T00:53:34Z

Recent activity lists SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The historic initial public offering of Facebook Inc did not go as planned on Friday, as the social networking company's sky-high valuation combined with trading glitches left the stock languishing near its offering price at the market close. Facebook shares began trading late Friday morning and opened 11 percent above the $38 offering price, but after peaking at about $45 slid rapidly at the end of the day to close at $38.23. The IPO was the third-largest in U.S. history and valued eight-year-old Facebook at $104 billion. ...

Obama backs Europe growth push

2012-05-18T23:51:16Z

US President Barack Obama (R) and French President Francois Hollande smile during a bilateral meeting in the Oval OfficePresident Barack Obama threw his weight behind France's demand for pro-growth policies in Europe Friday, as world leaders gathered at Camp David for a G8 summit darkened by Greece's possible eurozone exit.

Regime forces fire on huge Syria protests

2012-05-18T23:09:21Z

An anti-regime demonstration in SerminRegime forces fired on protesters who took to the streets of Aleppo on Friday, wounding several people at the biggest rally seen in Syria's second city since a revolt erupted last year, a watchdog said.

G-8 summit protesters predict peaceful demonstrations in Maryland town near Camp David

2012-05-18T22:00:11Z

THURMONT, Md. - Protesters who hope to make their voices heard at a global economic summit at Camp David said they plan peaceful demonstrations Friday in the nearby town of Thurmont.

Briton wins battle to head European development bank

2012-05-18T19:44:55Z

Suma Chakrabarti, pictured in 2005, has been named president of the EBRDThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Friday selected British top civil servant Suma Chakrabarti as its president to 2016, replacing German incumbent Thomas Mirow after a shock vote.

U.N. nuclear chief to visit Iran, deal may be near

2012-05-18T18:47:08Z

VIENNA (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear chief will fly to Tehran on Sunday in an apparent bid to secure a deal enabling his inspectors to probe suspicions of atomic bomb research, a few days before Iran and world powers meet in Baghdad for broader talks on their dispute. News of the rare visit came as Western diplomats said Iran and the U.N. watchdog were making headway towards a framework agreement on how to address concerns Tehran may be seeking to develop the capability to assemble nuclear weapons. ...